Approximately 7 mile loop with good variety. Loose gravel, short steep climbs, switch backs, loose shale, wooded sections, stream crossings and great scenery. When the trail splits take the left hand branch. This trail should not be attempted on the weekends. It is very popular with hikers. Please take out any garbage you find on the trail.

Summary:Steep climbing for the first mile and a half, then the trail splits for the lollipop. Take the left and continue up the valley. In about another half mile or so it splits again. Right is the loop, left heads up the valley for another mile, its a tough climb but worth it. Tight single track so sweet, you'll be rubbing your handlebars with the trees and brush. I usually this extra mile up to where you can go left or right. Left brings you back down to the main Waldo trail. Right, I dont know. Anyway, take this back down the way you came and hit the rest of the Waldo loop. The scenery is great as well as the landscape. The tail end of the loop is real loose and rocky......finish up with those damn stairs to the parking lot. A nice 8.5-9 mile ride.

Recommended Route:counter clockwise with the extra mile of fast tight single track.

Other recommended trails in the same area:Palmer , Barr, Columbine, Captian Jacks, Chutes, St. Marys

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Review DateJune 18, 2003

Overall Rating 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:Please Select

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Reviewed by: McFly
, from Manitou

Summary:I last took this trail 6.17.03 in a rain storm - (barely) no pedestrians - it was the best ride I've had there. The greatest part of Waldo is that most trails that taper off head into National Forest, and can get you lost!

Recommended Route:Take it counter clockwise for a challenging climb - strenuous like the first part of Barr Trail

Other recommended trails in the same area:Across the Waldo Canyon parking lot (and HWY 24!!!)is a gate that connects to the Ute Trail for some additional grunt work.

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Review DateMarch 1, 2003

Overall Rating 5 of 5

Ridden Trail:Once a week

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Reviewed by: craigy
, from colorado springs

Summary:Lots of climbing, some hike-a-bike, the descents are ful of swtich-backs, the trail surface changes from granite to sandstone and a coupla others, the scenery is great.This trail is popular with hikers so early weekdays are the quietest times, else be prepared to avoid hikers a lot.The climbing is hard, the first coupla miles being an almost constant grind on exposed gravelly singletrack, the first descent down to the valley is really great woody singletrack, halfway into the small valley you can choose to go eaither clockwise or anti-clockwise, I'd recommend clockwise for first time riders of this trail.The ascent winds up through a heavily wooded valley and crosses a streama few times, some sections are rocky and technical, the granite can be hard to climb as traction can be crap. Once you get to the top admire the views of Pikes Peak etal. the next few miles follows just below the ridge line with a few drastic changes in trail surface (one of the perks of Waldo!) The trail here is more exposed and runs mainly through scrub oak. You cross the Ridge and look out over rampart range road then after a brief uphill kicker you do the real fast part. The descent back is the highlight of the whole trail, fast, with switchbacks ending up going through heavily wooded singletrack to the valley floor. The you climb back out and do another fairly fast exposed gravelly section to the carpark - ride the three sets of steps, it's agreat end to the trail.Can't stress enough that the main users of this trail are hikers/runners, so please be aware opf them and duly courteous, ta!

Recommended Route:Riding it clockwise is best, but for the best technical descent ride it anti-clockwise

Other recommended trails in the same area:Pikes peak-Barr Trail, anything around Cheyenne Canyon, palmer park, Ute park, Falcon trail, Rampart Range Road, Rampart Resevoir, Mt. Herman, all the trails around Rampart Range Road as it head's North, there are loads of brilliant singletrack trails pout there, the descent of Stanley Canyon into the USAFA is one I like to do!

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Review DateJune 2, 2001

Overall Rating 2 of 5

Ridden Trail:Ridden Once

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Reviewed by: Randy Sanders
, from Ft. Carson, CO

Summary:This trail lets me know that I will never be good enough to prosper at this altitude. It's almost all climbing for the first five miles. The other two include a nice downhill, that it itermitted with uphills and hike-a-bikes (for the non technical amung us). I won't be including this trail on my frequent riding list, but if your in the area, it is worth a look. If for anything, the scenery is great.

Recommended Route:Take it clockwise at the fork.

Other recommended trails in the same area:If you don't want to stop at Waldo, keep going all the way to Rampart Resevoir.

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Review DateJune 25, 2000

Overall Rating 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:Every few months

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Reviewed by: Roscoe
, from Colorado Springs

Summary:Do not do this trail counter-clockwise. There is far too much gravel and switchbacks to make it rideable. By riding clockwise, you only have a couple of quick dismounts by the creek and the rest is way rideable. The downhill is very fast, rocky, and gives you a lot of practice for switchbacks. Hit the trail early in the morning to beat the hiking traffic and go during the middle of the week. The riding is best in late spring when the trail is still pretty solid.